When determining paddle length, the kayak width is the limiting factor for recreational kayaking. The sizing chart below should ensure you aren't hitting your knuckles on the hull as you paddle. For sleeker touring/sea kayaks ones paddling style and physical size plays more heavily.
| Kayak Width |
Under 23" |
24" to 28" |
29"+ |
|---|
| Paddler Height |
Recommended Paddle Length |
| Under 5'5" |
210-220 cm |
230 cm |
230-240 cm |
| 5'5" - 5'11" |
220 cm |
230 cm |
230-240 cm |
| 6'+ |
220-230 cm |
230-240 cm |
240 cm |
An easy way to measure in the field is to hold a paddle horizontally in your hands with your elbows slightly inside a 90 degree angle (most paddles are ovalized in the area they should be gripped). Your hands should be about two-thirds of the way between the center of the shaft and the shoulder of the blade. Again, always take stroke angle and boat width into consideration, and demo the paddle whenever possible.
Comments
bb Whisper Paddle
Adam H.
Satisfied Paddling.net Customer
bb Whisper
Consumer Email - Mark E.
Just a "heads up" to tell you I knew nothing about kayaking two years ago and just decided to get what I thought would work for bass fishing the backwaters here in the Nashville area.
So I bought the package that came with the yak. The paddle was your Whisper model. Little did I know just how important that paddle would become, even maybe more than the yak itself.
That Bending Branches paddle looks destroyed. It’s cracked, the metal is bent, it looks like it’s at the end of its days. The paddle has been stuck in rocks, stuck in mud, used as a crowbar, kept me away from snakes, and a few angry beavers along the way. Its paddled me all over the Cumberland up and down. That paddle has been used to maneuver my yak into some pretty incredible fishing areas, and is used as a depth finder on many a trip. Almost every yak launch I make, I use your paddle to grind into the mud and rocks in shallow water to push myself off. Not fun getting wet when the water temp is
42 degrees to go fishing. Living minutes from the river make it possible for me to bass fish 3-4 times a week. Oh, and for the record I fish only topwater, and fish all 4 seasons no matter what the weather is.
Once in awhile I catch a good size cat while fishing for largemouths, ever try to put a big cat in a yak?
Well your paddle delivers a good "thwack"on the head to settle it down. Now I'm a photo-catch-release guy, but always dig eating a nice blue cat.
So it seems to me that something that lays across my lap for the entire duration of a fishing trip must be pretty important. The Bending Branches Whisper is just that. Thank you for making such a fine piece of gear.